Where to photograph Thunder over Louisville ??

We're planning to have guests in town for Thunder over Louisville. Two of our guests are professional photographers and are interested in getting some nice shots of the fireworks (isn't everyone). We were wondering if anyone could provide some advice as to a couple of the better places to set up for good photography. We've heard that some of the restaurants on the Indiana side offer the best views but that they charge a premium ($100-plus per person) for a seat on the deck. Although these are some very dear friends, there will be 6 or 8 of us so spending this kind of money for a photo op is probably out of the question. Any ideas ?

Thank you.

Ashland Park in Clarksville is a primo spot for Thunder viewing. Excellent view of the 2nd Street Bridge and downtown Louisville. But you'll need to get there EARLY and plan on staying LATE. As far as I know, admission to the Park is still free.

Lois

We're planning to have guests in town for Thunder over Louisville. Two of our guests are professional photographers and are interested in getting some nice shots of the fireworks (isn't everyone). We were wondering if anyone could provide some advice as to a couple of the better places to set up for good photography. We've heard that some of the restaurants on the Indiana side offer the best views but that they charge a premium ($100-plus per person) for a seat on the deck. Although these are some very dear friends, there will be 6 or 8 of us so spending this kind of money for a photo op is probably out of the question. Any ideas ?

Thank you.

Steve, do they want a straight on view as Ashland Park would provide or would they prefer something different? I've done a lot of photography and have even been paid for some of my work. I am always looking for the more unusual viewpoints.

I would honestly have to say it all depended on what they wanted in the picture, do they want just the dark sky, or do they want cityscape as a background. My prefered viewing is to get tickets for the "thunderblast" at the science center. it puts you outside of the majority of the crowd and your down the river a bit so you can get a nice doubling shot being able to see both barges shoot with the bridge between the fireworks.

Their is a price, but there are alot of advantages to it as well.

Complete access to the Louisville Science Center from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. with exclusive access beginning at 6 p.m
Admission to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory until 7:00 p.m
Indoor and outdoor restrooms
Option to purchase tickets to a sneak preview of a new IMAX film, Sea Monsters after the fireworks– Why wait in traffic?

Im not going to copy all of them but I will post the link.

http://www.louisvillescience.org/site/e ... blast.html

Thanks for the hints guys. I'll have to get with our friends and find out what they are looking for in terms of composition. Maybe one of the photo studios in town would have further suggestions. I'll check.

Thanks again

Steve,

There are tons of Thunder Over Louisville photos on Flickr.com. You might take a look at them and if you see something good, ask the photographer what location they shot from. http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=thunder ... ille&w=all

Steve,

There are tons of Thunder Over Louisville photos on Flickr.com. You might take a look at them and if you see something good, ask the photographer what location they shot from. http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=thunder ... ille&w=all

Leann,

Awesome suggestion. Thank you, I believe I'll do just what you suggested. Look for a little something extra in the paycheck this week

I would get a hotel room at the Galt House. The rooms facing the river all have balconies facing the river for an awesome view. Plus, it is a great way to have a "home base" with a larger group of friends. Plus, plus if the weather is not up to par, you have a warm dry place to stay.

While the Galt house offers a fine view, its not the best for photographs. Fireworks are best photographed from a distance.You really need to be some distance away from the river to gain any perspective.

What about the direction the wind is blowing? You would want to be upwind, so the smoke would be out of your shot, right? That being the case, you wouldn't really know until show time where you would need to be.

What about the direction the wind is blowing? You would want to be upwind, so the smoke would be out of your shot, right? That being the case, you wouldn't really know until show time where you would need to be.

Sometimes it's a neat effect to have the fireworks sitting behind a cloud of smoke. It gives the pix a surreal feel. Really, it is all about the photographer and what they are hoping to capture.

Well from what I've been told the Galt House is booked at least a year ahead of time for Thunder, and the waiting list can be years long (not to mention expensive). Anything around the Belvedere is going to be too blocked and I know at least last year LG&E actually booked the best place for their own employees with no access for everyone else...Having a couple of places picked out then getting a report on the weather for things like the wind predictions very early the morning of may be best. I have a friend whose uncle actually is part of Thunder Command, sending him an email right now to see if he has any insider tips If he gives me any good ideas I'll post them on here as I was wanting to find a better spot myself this year. But as I said, anything too close to the bridges on the KY side is pretty much bad, I've worked on an ambulance covering the riverfront on this side (and trust me when I say they moved us EVERYWHERE, still wondering how I managed to get stuck in Great Lawn during the middle of the show last time I did it *shudder*). I could also ask around work though, we cover all of the first aid for the Indiana side and the guys that are out there every year may also have some ideas of prime viewing spots, best times to get there, ect.

I go to the Witherspoon garage which is located to the west of Waterfront Park Place condos. There is a always a party on the roof top of the garage; but, I sneak my way into the garage and watch on the spiral ramp that cars drive up every year. It is the best view and no one is ever around.